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The Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa Centre for Gender and Development Studies at Dhaka University held the "Bangamata Lecture Series" on 29 October 2023, at the RC Majumdar Auditorium. The event, chaired by Professor Dr. Tania Haque, aimed to promote inclusive development for the transgender individuals in the 21st century.
The welcome speech at the event was delivered by the Chief Guest, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. A.S.M. Maksud Kamal. He emphasized the importance of including the transgender population in mainstream development to achieve sustainable development goals and build an inclusive society. He stressed that social barriers must be removed and urged everyone to work from their respective positions to establish the rights and dignity of the transgender community.
Professor Dr. Tania Haque, Director of the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa Centre, discussed gender inequality and the importance of sustainable and inclusive development (SDG). She emphasized the need for initiatives to move the transgender population from a marginalized position to a well-integrated system.
Special guest Aroma Dutta MP spoke at the event. The keynote was presented by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad’s President Fauzia Moslem, where she highlighted the limited learning opportunities for the transgender community.
The article was discussed by Dr. Abdul Bashir Dean of Faculty of Arts, Dhaka University and Arifa Yasmin Mayuri, President of the Staircase Social Welfare Organization.
Speakers at the event noted that many laws addressing gender-based violence are based on a binary understanding of men and women, excluding the transgender population. As a result, transgender individuals often face harassment with no legal recourse for sexual abuse. They emphasized the need to amend these laws to include protections for the transgender community.
